Switch with envelope injection

ABSTRACT

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a switching circuit with enhanced linearity. The switching circuit can include a switch and an envelope generator. The switch can receive an input signal, provide an output signal, and receive an envelope signal corresponding to an envelope of the input signal. The envelope generator can generate the envelope signal so as to cause intermodulation distortion in the output signal to be reduced to cause linearity of the switch to be improved.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR § 1.57.This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/372,198, filed Aug. 8,2016 and titled “SWITCH WITH ENVELOPE INJECTION,” the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to electronic systems and, inparticular, to electronic systems that include a switch.

Description of Related Technology

A radio frequency (RF) switch can pass an RF signal. RF switches can beimplemented in a variety of applications, such as in RF front endsystems that include circuitry coupled between an antenna and a basebandsystem.

RF switches can include transistors, such as field effect transistors.Such RF switches can behave non-linearity, which can causeintermodulation distortion. Compensating for the non-linear behavior ofthe switch can increase linearity of the RF switch, which can bedesirable.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS

The innovations described in the claims each have several features, nosingle one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes.Without limiting the scope of the claims, some prominent features ofthis disclosure will now be briefly described.

One aspect of this disclosure is a switching circuit with enhancedlinearity. The switching circuit includes a switch and an envelopegenerator. The switch is configured to receive an input signal, providean output signal, and receive an envelope signal corresponding to anenvelope of the input signal. The envelope generator is configured togenerate the envelope signal so as to cause intermodulation distortionin the output signal to be reduced. The envelope generator is configuredto adjust a phase of the envelope signal.

The switch can include a field effect transistor having a bodyconfigured to receive the envelope signal. The switch can receive theenvelope signal at a control terminal. For instance, the switch caninclude a field effect transistor and the control terminal can be a gateof the field effect transistor. The envelope signal can be superimposedon a direct current control signal at the control terminal. The switchcan turn on and to turn off in response to the direct current controlsignal. The input signal can be a radio frequency signal and the switchcan be a radio frequency switch.

The input signal can have a first tone at a first frequency and a secondtone at a second frequency, and the envelope signal can have a frequencycorresponding to a difference between the first frequency and the secondfrequency.

The envelope generator can adjust the phase of the envelope signaladjust such that intermodulation associated with mixing of the envelopesignal and the input signal has substantially an opposite phase asintermodulation due to non-linear behavior of the switch. A phaseshifter of the envelope generator can adjust the phase of the envelopesignal. The envelope generator can adjust a magnitude of the envelopesignal.

The envelope generator can receive the input signal and to generate theenvelope signal based on the input signal. The envelope generator canreceive the input signal and the output signal and to generate theenvelope signal based on the input signal and the output signal.

The envelope generator can be coupled to an envelope tracking modulatorconfigured to provide a power amplifier supply voltage to a poweramplifier.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a radio frequency system thatincludes a radio frequency source configured to provide a radiofrequency signal, a switch configured to pass the radio frequencysignal, and an envelope generator configured to generate an envelopesignal corresponding to an envelope of the radio frequency signal and toapply the envelope signal to the switch to cause intermodulationdistortion in the radio frequency signal to be reduced. The envelopegenerator is configured to adjust a phase of the envelope signal

The envelope generator can adjust a magnitude of the envelope signal.

The switch can include a field effect transistor having a body and theenvelope generator can apply the envelope signal to the body. The switchcan include a field effect transistor having a gate configured toreceive the envelope signal superimposed on a control signal.

The radio frequency source can include a power amplifier. The switch canbe included in an antenna switch, a band select switch, or atransmit/receive switch.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a method of switching a radiofrequency signal with improved linearity. The method includes generatingan envelope signal with an envelope generator, the envelope generatorconfigured to adjust a phase of the envelope signal; providing theenvelope signal to a radio frequency switch; and switching the radiofrequency signal using the radio frequency switch while the radiofrequency switch receives the envelope signal such that the envelopesignal reduces intermodulation distortion associated with the radiofrequency switch

The method can include setting the phase and a magnitude of the envelopesignal. The radio frequency switch can include a field effect transistorand the providing can include applying the envelope signal to a body ofthe field effect transistor. The radio frequency switch can include afield effect transistor and the providing can include applying theenvelope signal superimposed on a control signal to a gate of the fieldeffect transistor.

Another aspect of this disclosure is power amplifier system thatincludes an envelope generator configured to generate an envelope signalcorresponding to an envelope of a radio frequency signal, a poweramplifier coupled to the envelope generator, and a radio frequencyswitch coupled to an output of the power amplifier. The power amplifieris configured to amplify a radio frequency signal and to receive a poweramplifier supply voltage that is based on the envelope of the radiofrequency signal. The radio frequency switch is configured to receivethe envelope signal from the envelope generator to cause intermodulationdistortion associated with the radio frequency switch to be reduced.

The radio frequency switch can include a field effect transistor havinga body configured to receive the envelope signal. The radio frequencyswitch can include a field effect transistor having a gate configured toreceive the envelope signal superimposed on a direct current controlsignal.

The envelope generator can adjust a phase of the envelope signal. Theenvelope generator can adjust a magnitude of the envelope signal. Theenvelope generator can generate the envelope signal from a basebandsignal.

The power amplifier system can include an envelope tracking modulatorcoupled to an output of the envelope generator and configured togenerate the power amplifier supply voltage.

A band select switch can include the radio frequency switch. An antennaswitch can include the radio frequency switch. A transmit/receive switchcan include the radio frequency switch.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a radio frequency system thatincludes an envelope generator configured to generate an envelope signalcorresponding to an envelope of a radio frequency signal, a radiofrequency switch configured to pass the radio frequency signal, and another radio frequency component coupled to the envelope generator. Theradio frequency switch is configured to receive the envelope signal tocause intermodulation distortion associated with the radio frequencyswitch to be reduced.

The other radio frequency component can be a power amplifier configuredto receive a supply voltage that is based on the envelope signal. Theother radio frequency component can include a second radio frequencyswitch. The radio frequency switch and the second radio frequency switchcan both be included in a signal path between a power amplifier and anantenna port.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a method of switching a radiofrequency signal with improved linearity. The method includesgenerating, with an envelope generator, an envelope signal correspondingto an envelope of a radio frequency signal; providing a power amplifiersupply voltage to a power amplifier that is coupled to the envelopegenerator; applying the envelope signal to a radio frequency switchconfigured to receive the radio frequency signal from the poweramplifier; and switching the radio frequency signal using the radiofrequency switch during said applying so as to reduce intermodulationdistortion associated with the radio frequency switch.

The applying can include applying the envelope signal to a controlterminal of the radio frequency switch. The radio frequency switch caninclude a field effect transistor and the applying can include applyingthe envelope signal to a body of the field effect transistor. The methodcan include generating the power amplifier supply voltage with anenvelope tracking modulator that is coupled to an output of the envelopegenerator. The method can include generating the power amplifier supplyvoltage based on the envelope signal.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a switching circuit with enhancedlinearity. The switching circuit includes an envelope generatorconfigured to generate an envelope signal and a switch including a fieldeffect transistor having a body configured to receive the envelopesignal so as to cause linearity of the switch to be improved.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a switching circuit with enhancedlinearity. The switching circuit includes a switch configured to receivean input signal, to provide an output signal, and to receive an envelopesignal. The switching circuit includes an envelope generator configuredto receive the input signal, to receive the output signal, and togenerate the envelope signal so as to cause linearity of the switch tobe improved. In some instances, the envelope generator can generate theenvelope signal based on a difference in voltage between the inputsignal and the output signal.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a switching circuit with enhancedlinearity. The switching circuit includes an envelope generatorconfigured to generate an envelope signal and means for switching aradio frequency signal with enhanced linearity using the envelopesignal.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a switch with enhanced linearity.The switch includes an input configured to receive an input signal andan output configured to provide an output signal. The switch isconfigured to receive a signal including an envelope componentcorresponding to the input signal to substantially cancelintermodulation distortion associated with the switch.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a semiconductor die that includesan envelope generator configured to generate an envelope signal and aswitch configured to receive the envelope signal from the envelopegenerator to cause linearity of the switch to be improved. The switchand the envelope generator are included on the same semiconductor die.

The semiconductor die can be a semiconductor-on-insulator die. Thesemiconductor-on-insulator die can be a silicon-on-insulator die. Thesemiconductor die can include a power amplifier. The semiconductor diecan include an envelope tracking modulator coupled to the envelopegenerator and configured to provide a supply voltage to the poweramplifier.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a radio frequency module thatincludes an envelope generator configured to generate an envelopesignal, a switch configured to provide a radio frequency signal and toreceive the envelope signal from the envelope generator to causeintermodulation distortion in the radio frequency signal to be reduced,and a package enclosing the envelope generator and the switch.

The switch can be included in an antenna switch. The switch can beincluded in a band select switch. The switch can be included in atransmit/receive switch.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a wireless communication devicethat includes an antenna; a power amplifier configured to provide aradio frequency signal; an envelope generator configured to generate anenvelope signal associated with the radio frequency signal; and a radiofrequency switch in a signal path between the power amplifier and theantenna, the radio frequency switch configured to receive the envelopesignal.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a method of generating an envelopesignal to apply to a switch. The method includes setting a phase of theenvelope signal to apply to the switch so as to cause intermodulationdistortion associated with the switch to be decreased; and setting amagnitude of the envelope signal with the set phase so as to cause theintermodulation distortion associated with the switch to be furtherdecreased.

For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantagesand novel features of the innovations have been described herein. It isto be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may beachieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, theinnovations may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves oroptimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein withoutnecessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggestedherein.

The present disclosure relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/670,619, titled “RADIO FREQUENCY SYSTEM WITH SWITCH TO RECEIVEENVELOPE,” filed on even date herewith, the entire disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described, by way ofnon-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with a switchingcircuit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a switch and graphs of frequency components atterminals of the switch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a graph of simulated intermodulation distortions of the switchof FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a relationship between output power andfrequency for the switch of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with a switchingcircuit including an envelope generator configured to receive an inputof the switch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a graph of illustrating a relationship between intermodulationdistortion and reflection coefficient for the switch of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with a switchingcircuit including an envelope generator configured to receive an inputand an output of the switch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a graph of illustrating a relationship between intermodulationdistortion and reflection coefficient for the switch of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with a switchingcircuit according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a graph of illustrating a relationship betweenintermodulation distortion and phase of an envelope signal for theswitch of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a graph of illustrating a relationship betweenintermodulation distortion and a magnitude of an envelope signal for theswitch of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12A is a simulation of intermodulation distortion corresponding toenvelope signal injection at a gate of a field effect transistor switch.

FIG. 12B is a simulation of intermodulation distortion corresponding toenvelope signal injection at a body of a field effect transistor switch.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with a switchingcircuit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with a switchingcircuit according to an embodiment in which a switch includes aplurality of field effect transistors.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with a switchingcircuit according to an embodiment with envelope injection at a gate anda body of a field effect transistor switch.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with a switchingcircuit according to an embodiment in which a switch includes a bipolartransistor.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with an envelopegenerator that generates an envelope signal based on an input to aswitch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with an envelopegenerator that generates an envelope signal based on an input to aswitch and an output of the switch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with a switchingcircuit that includes envelope generator coupled to a switch and anothercircuit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20A is a schematic diagram of an electronic system with a switchingcircuit that includes envelope generator coupled to a switch and a poweramplifier according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20B is a schematic diagram of a communications system that includesenvelope generator coupled to a power amplifier and a switch accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a multi-throw switchwith envelope injection according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system that includesenvelope injection in a band select switch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system that includesenvelope injection in a transmit/receive switch according to anembodiment.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system that includes anenvelope injection in an antenna switch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system that includes anenvelope injection in a plurality of RF switches in an RF signal pathaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 26A is a schematic diagram of an electronic system that includes anenvelope injection in a mixer according to an embodiment. FIG. 26B is aschematic diagram of an example of the mixer of FIG. 26A.

FIG. 27 illustrates a semiconductor die that includes an envelopegenerator and a RF switch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 28 illustrates a semiconductor die that includes an envelopegenerator, a RF switch, and a power amplifier according to anembodiment.

FIG. 29 illustrates a packaged module that includes a switch withenvelope injection according to an embodiment.

FIG. 30 illustrates a packaged module that includes a switch withenvelope injection according to another embodiment.

FIG. 31 illustrates a packaged module that includes a switch withenvelope injection according to another embodiment.

FIG. 32 illustrates a wireless communication device that includes aswitch with envelope injection according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of certain embodiments presentsvarious descriptions of specific embodiments. However, the innovationsdescribed herein can be embodied in a multitude of different ways, forexample, as defined and covered by the claims. In this description,reference is made to the drawings where like reference numerals canindicate substantially identical or functionally similar elements. Itwill be understood that elements illustrated in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale. Moreover, it will be understood that certainembodiments can include more elements than illustrated in a drawingand/or a subset of the elements illustrated in a drawing. Further, someembodiments can incorporate any suitable combination of features fromtwo or more drawings.

Linearity is one parameter of a switch. A switch with a relatively highlinearity can be advantageous in a number of applications. Some effortsto improve linearity of a switch involved device optimization in termsof size, body contact, and substrate. Some other efforts to improveswitch linearity involved circuit optimization in terms of devicecombination, layout, and passive circuit elements. Even with suchefforts to improve linearity, there is a call for improved linearity incertain applications.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to improving linearity of a switchusing an envelope signal. Such an envelope signal can correspond to anenvelope of an input signal of the switch, for example, a voltageenvelope of the input signal. In a switch implemented with a fieldeffect transistor, the envelope signal can be injected by way of a gateterminal and/or a body terminal. Switches with envelope signal injectioncan have intermodulation distortion generated due to (1) the nonlinearI-V behavior of the switch and (2) the dynamic interaction between aradio frequency (RF) input signal and an envelope signal. Relativelyhigh switch linearity can be achieved due to cancellation between thesetwo kinds of intermodulation distortion.

Switches with enhance linearity are disclosed herein. Such switches cancancel intermodulation distortion, such as third order intermodulationdistortion (IMD3), over a relatively wide range of voltage standing waveratio (VSWR). In an embodiment, a switch includes an input configured toreceive an input signal and an output configured to provide an outputsignal, and the switch is configured to receive a signal including anenvelope component of the input signal to cancel intermodulationdistortion associated with the switch. The switch can be a radiofrequency switch configured to pass a radio frequency signal. Anenvelope generator can generate the envelope signal. The envelopegenerator can provide the envelope signal and the switch can include afield effect transistor configured to receive the envelope signal at agate terminal and/or body terminal. The envelope generator can generatethe envelope signal based on an input and/or an output of the switch.Any of the switches disclosed herein can be implemented in varioussemiconductor die, packaged modules, radio frequency systems, andwireless communications devices, for example.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 10 with aswitching circuit according to an embodiment. As illustrated, theelectronic system 10 includes a switch 12, an envelope generator 14, aradio frequency (RF) source 15, a load 16, a biasing element 17, aninput direct current (DC) blocking capacitor 18, and an output DCblocking capacitor 19. A switching circuit can include the switch 12 andthe envelope generator 14.

In the electronic system 10, the switch 12 includes a field effecttransistor and an envelope signal is injected at a gate of the fieldeffect transistor. The envelope signal can correspond to an envelope ofthe input signal. Injecting the envelope signal at the gate of the fieldeffect transistor can cause the field effect transistor to be a morelinear switch. The switch 12 can receive a radio frequency (RF) inputsignal at a source and provide an RF output signal at a drain. In someother embodiments, a field effect transistor switch can receive an RFinput signal at a drain and provide an RF output signal at a source. Theenvelope signal can be superimposed on a control signal provided to thegate of the field effect transistor. The control signal can be a DCsignal. The switch 12 can turn on in response to the control signal andturn off in response to the control signal. The envelope signal can beapplied to the gate of the field effect transistor by way of a biasingelement 17. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the biasing element 17 can be aresistor. Such a resistor can have a resistance on the order of 10 kΩ incertain implementations.

The envelope generator 14 can generate the envelope signal. Forinstance, the envelope generator 14 can generate the envelope signalbased on the RF input to the switch 12 and/or the RF output of theswitch 12. As another example, the envelope generator 14 can generatethe envelope signal based on a baseband signal. The envelope generator12 can be implemented by any suitable circuit elements configured togenerate the envelope signal. The envelope generator 14 can adjust aphase and/or a magnitude of the envelope signal. For instance, theenvelope generator 14 can include a phase shifter to adjust a phase ofthe envelope signal. Alternatively or additionally, the envelopegenerator 14 can include a variable gain element configured to adjust amagnitude of the envelope signal.

The RF source 15 can be any suitable circuit configured to provide theRF input signal to the switch 12. The RF input signal can have tones atfrequencies ω1 and ω2 in certain applications. As will be discussed withmore detail in connection with FIG. 2, the envelope signal can have afrequency of ω3, which can correspond to the difference between ω1 andω2. As an illustrative example, ω1 can be 1860 MHz, ω2 can be 1900 MHz,and ω3 can be 40 MHz. The RF source 15 can provide an RF signal that hasa DC component and an RF component. The input DC blocking capacitor 18can block the DC signal component of the RF signal provided by the RFsource 15 and provide the RF signal component to the switch 12.

The switch 12 can provide the RF output signal to the load 16. The load16 can have an impedance of 50Ω in certain implementations. The load canreceive a signal from the switch 12 by way of the output DC blockingcapacitor 19.

FIG. 2 illustrates a switch 12 and graphs of frequency components atterminals of the switch 12 according to an embodiment. The illustratedswitch 12 is a field effect transistor having a source, a gate, and adrain. The field effect transistor can be a metal oxide semiconductorfield effect transistor. The field effect transistor can be implementedusing any suitable process technology such as semiconductor-on-insulator(e.g., silicon-on-insulator), complementary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS), pseudomorphic High Electron Mobility Transistor (pHEMT), or thelike. For instance, the field effect transistor can be a metal oxidesemiconductor field effect transistor. The graph of the frequencycomponents at the source of the filed effect transistor illustrates atwo tone signal having frequency components at ω1 and ω2. Each of thesetones can correspond to a sine wave in the time domain. There can beintermodulation distortion at the drain of the switch 12 at frequencies2ω1−ω2 and 2ω2−ω1. This intermodulation distortion can be caused by anon-linearity of the switch 12, such as nonlinear I-V behavior of theswitch 12.

To compensate for such intermodulation distortion, an envelope signalcan be injected at the gate of the switch 12. The envelope signal canhave a frequency corresponding to the difference in frequency betweenthe tones ω1 and ω2 of the input signal. The envelope signal can be asine wave in the time domain. As illustrated in the graph for thefrequency components at the gate of the switch 12, the envelope signalprovided to the gate can have a frequency of ω3, in which ω3=ω2−ω1.

Injecting the envelope signal at the gate of the field effect transistorcan cause mixing between the envelope signal and the signal provided tothe source of the field effect transistor. Such mixing can result insignal components at frequencies of ω1−ω3 and ω2+ω3. By having ω3=ω2−ω1,the intermodulation distortion due to non-linearity of the switch 12 andthe mixing due to injection of the envelope signal can cancel each otherand thereby improve the linearity of the switch 12. Such cancelation canreduce the intermodulation distortion in the signal at the drain of theillustrated switch 12 significantly. FIG. 2 includes a graph withfrequency components at a drain of the switch 12. This graph illustratescancellation of intermodulation distortion of the switch 12 at the drainof the switch 12.

FIG. 3 is a graph of simulated intermodulation distortions of the switch12 of FIG. 2. As shown in this graph, it can be desirable for theintermodulation distortion of the switch and the intermodulationdistortion associated with the mixing of the envelope signal and the RFinput signal to have substantially the opposite phase. This can promotecancellation of intermodulation distortion and enhance linearity of theswitch. The intermodulation distortion of the switch can be fixed by theinherent non-linearity of the switch. The phase of the envelope signalcan be adjusted such that intermodulation distortion associated with theenvelope signal mixing with the RF signal has substantially the oppositephase as the intermodulation distortion of the switch. For instance, theenvelope generator 14 of FIG. 1 can adjust the phase of the envelopesignal. In certain embodiments, the envelope generator 14 can have aphase control input configured to receive a phase control signal.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a relationship between output power andfrequency for the switch 12 of FIG. 2. It can be desirable to have theintermodulation distortion of the switch and the intermodulationdistortion associated with the mixing of the envelope signal and the RFinput signal to have substantially the same magnitude. This can promotecancellation of intermodulation distortion and enhance linearity of theswitch. The graph of FIG. 4 illustrates output power for a frequencyspectrum at the drain of the switch of FIG. 2 for a fixed phase of theenvelope signal. By sweeping through envelope magnitudes, a minimumintermodulation distortion can be determined. In the graph of FIG. 4,the intermodulation distortion is around −65 dBm. Simulations indicatethat the intermodulation distortion can be reduced to below −80 dBm forcertain magnitudes of the envelope signal injected at the gate of theswitch.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 20 with aswitching circuit including an envelope generator 21 configured toreceive an input of the switch 12 according to an embodiment. Asillustrated, the electronic system 20 includes a switch 12, an RF source15, a load 16, a biasing element 17, an envelope generator 21, and asignal combiner 22. A switching circuit can include the switch 12 andthe envelope generator 21.

The envelope generator 21 is configured to receive an RF input signalprovided to the switch 12. Most of the RF input signal can be providedto the switch 12 while a relatively small portion of the RF signal canbe provided to the envelope generator 21. As shown in FIG. 5, theenvelope generator 21 is coupled to the source of the switch 12. Theenvelope generator 21 can generate the envelope signal based on the RFinput signal. When the RF input signal has tones at frequencies ω1 andω2, the envelope signal can have a frequency of ω3, which can correspondto the difference between ω1 and ω2.

The signal combiner 22 can combine the envelope signal on a DC controlsignal. For instance, the signal combiner 22 can superimpose theenvelope signal on the DC control signal. The signal combiner 22 can beimplemented by a summing node or any suitable summing network configuredto sum the envelope signal and the DC control signal. In anotherimplementation, the signal combiner 22 can subtract the envelope signalfrom the DC control signal. An output of the signal combiner 22 can beprovided to the gate of the switch 12 by way of the biasing element 17.A signal combiner in accordance with the principles and advantages ofthe signal combiner 22 of FIG. 5 can be implemented in association withany other embodiments disclosed herein, such as the embodiment shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a graph of illustrating a relationship between intermodulationdistortion and a reflection coefficient for the switch 12 of FIG. 5. Asshown in FIG. 6, injecting the envelope signal at the gate of the switch12 of the electronic system 20 of FIG. 5 can cause intermodulationdistortion to be improved around 50Ω, such as in a range from about 10Ωto 100Ω. This graph also illustrates that intermodulation distortion ofthe switch 12 in the electronic system 20 of FIG. 5 can depend on loadimpedance. At higher load impedances, injecting the envelope signal atthe gate of the switch 12 in the electronic system 20 of FIG. 5 cancause the intermodulation distortion to be higher in certainapplications.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 30 with aswitching circuit including an envelope generator 31 configured toreceive an input and an output of a switch 12 according to anembodiment. The electronic system 30 is similar to the electronic system20 of FIG. 5 except that these systems include different envelopegenerators. The envelope generator 31 of FIG. 7 is configured to receivethe RF input signal provided to the switch 12 and an RF output signalprovided by the switch 12. As shown in FIG. 7, the envelope generator 31is coupled to both the source and the drain of the switch 12. Theenvelope generator 31 can generate the envelope signal based on thevoltage between the drain and the source of the switch 12. The voltagebetween the drain and the source of the switch 12 can be on the order of0.1 Volts in certain implementations. With the envelope generator 31, animprovement in intermodulation distortion can be present over a widerrange of load impedance relative to using the envelope generator 21 ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a graph of illustrating a relationship between intermodulationdistortion and reflection coefficient for the switch 12 of FIG. 7. Asshown in FIG. 8, injecting the envelope signal at the gate of the switch12 of the electronic system 30 of FIG. 7 using the envelope generator 31can cause intermodulation distortion to be improved as output impedancevaries. Throughout the simulated output impedance range from 8Ω to 300Ω,the intermodulation distortion was decreased by applying an envelopesignal to the switch 12. This graph indicates that intermodulationdistortion can be improved by about 17 dBm in certain implementations.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 40 with aswitching circuit according to another embodiment. As illustrated, theelectronic system 40 includes a switch 12, an envelope generator 14, anRF source 15, and a load 16. The switching circuit of FIG. 9 includesthe switch 12 and the envelope generator 14. In the electronic system40, the switch 12 includes a field effect transistor and the envelopegenerator 14 is configured to inject the envelope signal at a body ofthe field effect transistor to enhance linearity of the switch 12.Accordingly, the switch 12 can be linearized by injection the envelopesignal by way of a semiconductor substrate on which the switch 12 isimplemented.

FIG. 10 is a graph of illustrating a relationship betweenintermodulation distortion and phase of an envelope signal for theswitch 12 of FIG. 9. This graph corresponds to the RF input signal beingprovided to the source of the switch 12 of FIG. 9 having a first tonewith a power of 22 dBm at a frequency of 1860 MHz and a second tone witha power of 22 dBm at a frequency of 1900 MHz and the envelope signalhaving a frequency of 40 MHz and a magnitude of 2.3 Volts. As shown inFIG. 10, intermodulation distortion can depend on the phase of theenvelope signal injected at the body of the switch 12. This graphindicates that phase of about 63° can result in a minimumintermodulation distortion. Accordingly, an envelope signal with a phaseof about 63° can cause intermodulation distortion associated with theenvelope signal mixing with an RF input signal provided to the switch 12to have substantially the opposite phase as the intermodulationdistortion due to non-linear behavior of the switch 12.

FIG. 11 is a graph of illustrating a relationship betweenintermodulation distortion and a magnitude of an envelope signal for theswitch 12 of FIG. 9. This graph corresponds to the same RF input signaland an envelope signal having the same frequency as the graph of FIG.11, but the phase of the envelope signal is fixed at 63° for theenvelope signal. As shown in FIG. 11, intermodulation distortion candepend on the magnitude of the envelope signal injected at the body ofthe switch 12. The intermodulation distortion can be at a minimum whenthat intermodulation due to interaction between an RF input signal andan envelope signal has a magnitude that is substantially the same as theintermodulation distortion due to non-linear behavior of the switch 12.

Since intermodulation distortion can depend on a phase of the envelopesignal and a magnitude of the envelope signal, the phase and themagnitude can be set so as to cause intermodulation distortion to bedecreased. The phase of the envelope signal can be set so as to resultin a minimum intermodulation distortion. For example, the phase can beswept while the magnitude is held constant and the minimumintermodulation distortion can be identified. After the phase is set,the magnitude can be set so as to cause intermodulation distortion to befurther decreased. For example, the magnitude can be swept whileenvelope signal has the set phase and the minimum intermodulationdistortion can be identified.

A control loop can be implemented in accordance with any of theprinciples and advantages discussed herein to adjust phase and/ormagnitude of an envelope signal and detect an indicator of linearity ofa switch. The control loop can determine a phase and/or magnitude of anenvelope signal that results in a desired linearity. Informationassociated with the phase and/or magnitude of the envelope signal thatresults in the desired linearity can be stored in memory and/or used toset the phase and/or magnitude of the envelope signal.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are graph of simulated intermodulation distortions ofthe switches according to certain embodiments. FIG. 12A is a simulationof intermodulation distortion corresponding to envelope signal injectionat a gate of a field effect transistor switch. FIG. 12B is a simulationof intermodulation distortion corresponding to envelope signal injectionat a body of a field effect transistor switch. The phase and magnitudeof the envelope signals can be configured to cancel intermodulationdistortion associated with non-linearities associated with a fieldeffect transistor. These graphs indicate that intermodulation distortioncan be canceled to reduce or substantially eliminate non-linearitiesassociated with a field effect transistor switch with either envelopesignal injection at a gate or envelope signal injection at a body.

Table 1 below includes simulation data associated with gate injection ofthe envelope signal and body injection of the envelope signal. Envelopegenerators discussed herein can adjust a phase and/or a magnitude of anenvelope signal. As discussed herein, intermodulation distortion (IMD)can be reduced by setting the phase and the magnitude of the envelopesignal to particular values to cancel non-linearities of a switch. Thedata in Table 1 indicate that there is a significant improvement in IMDusing gate injection of the envelope signal and using body injection ofthe envelope signal. As also indicated by the data in Table 1, a phasedelay can be desirable for a relatively wideband envelope signal.

TABLE 1 Envelope Injection Simulation Data Envelope Phase Delay ImprovedOriginal Magnitude of Envelope IMD IMD (V) (Degrees) (dBm) (dBm) GateInjection 0.189 88 −93 −67 Body Injection 0.064 18 −93 −67

The simulations and data discussed above indicate that gate injection orbody injection of an envelope signal can improve linearity of a fieldeffect transistor switch. IMD cancellation over a relatively wide VSWRrange using envelope signal injection is indicated.

FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are schematic diagrams of electronicsystems with switching circuits according to certain embodiments. Anysuitable principles and advantages of the embodiments discussed withreference to FIGS. 13 to 18 can be implemented in connection with eachother and/or in connection with any other embodiments discussed herein.Electronic systems arranged to process radio frequency signals can bereferred to as radio frequency systems. A radio frequency system canalso process a baseband signal in some instances. Electronic systemsthat include a power amplifier can be referred to as power amplifiersystems.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 50 with aswitching circuit according to an embodiment. As illustrated, theelectronic system 50 includes a switch 51, an envelope generator 14, anRF source 15, and a load 52.

The switch 12 discussed above is an example of the switch 51. Theprinciples and advantages discussed herein can be applied to switchesother than the switch 12 discussed above. The switch 51 can include anysuitable switch configured to switch an RF signal. The switch 51 canreceive an RF input signal In and selectively provide an RF outputsignal Out corresponding to the input signal In. The switch 51 caninclude a field effect transistor (e.g., like the switch 12 or theswitch 61) or a bipolar transistor (e.g., like the switch 81), forexample. The switch 51 can be implemented by asemiconductor-on-insulator transistor such as a silicon-on-insulatortransistor, a transistor formed by a CMOS process, a pHEMT, or any othersuitable device for implementing an RF switch.

The envelope generator 14 can provide an envelope signal to the switch51 to linearize the switch 51. The envelope generator 14 can beimplemented in accordance with any suitable principles and advantages ofthe envelope generator 21 and/or the envelope generator 31. The envelopesignal can cause IMD in the output signal of the switch 51 due tonon-linearities of the switch 51 to be canceled to linearize the switch51. The envelope generator 14 can provide the envelope signal to anysuitable terminal of the switch 51, such as a gate and/or a body of afield effect transistor or a base of a bipolar transistor.

The load 52 illustrates that any of the switches discussed herein candrive a load having an impedance, which can behave as a resistance or asa complex impedance that is frequency dependent.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 60 with aswitching circuit according to another embodiment. As illustrated, theelectronic system 60 includes a switch 61, an envelope generator 14, asignal combiner 22, an RF source 15, and a load 52. FIG. 14 illustratesthat a switch can include a plurality of field effect transistorsarranged in series with each other from source to drain configured toreceive a common signal at their gates. The field effect transistors canbe metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors. As illustrated inFIG. 14, the gates of the field effect transistors of the switch 61 areconfigured to receive a signal having an envelope component. This canlinearize the switch 61. In some other embodiments, the envelope signalcan be injected at a body of the field effect transistors of the switch61. According to certain embodiments, a switch implemented in accordancewith any of the principles and advantages discussed herein can includeany suitable number of transistors in parallel and/or in series witheach other.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 70 with aswitching circuit according to another embodiment. As illustrated, theelectronic system 70 includes a switch 12, an envelope generator 14, asignal combiner 22, an RF source 15, and a load 52. FIG. 15 illustratesthat an envelope signal can be injected at a gate and a body of a fieldeffect transistor switch 12. The envelope signal can be superimposed ona control signal by the signal combiner 22 and provided to the gate ofthe field effect transistor switch 12. The envelope signal can beprovided at the body of the field effect transistor switch 12 withoutbeing superimposed on the control signal as shown in FIG. 15. In someother embodiments, the same signal can be provided to the gate and thebody of the field effect transistor switch 12. In certainimplementations, the phase and/or the magnitude of the envelope signalcan be different at the body of the switch 12 and at the gate of theswitch 12.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 80 with aswitching circuit according to another embodiment. As illustrated, theelectronic system 80 includes a bipolar transistor switch 81, anenvelope generator 14, a signal combiner 22, an RF source 15, and a load52. FIG. 16 illustrates that a switch can be implemented by a bipolartransistor. The envelope signal can be injected at a base of the bipolartransistor switch 81. The bipolar transistor switch 81 can beimplemented by any suitable bipolar transistor, such as a siliconbipolar transistor, a silicon-on-insulator bipolar transistor, aheterojunction bipolar transistor, or the like. The bipolar transistorswitch 81 can be biased to function as an RF switch. The bipolartransistor switch 81 can be implemented in a relatively low costbipolar-only process technology or other relatively low cost processesthat do not include low-loss, low-distortion RF switch devices such asfield effect transistors.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 90 with aswitching circuit according to another embodiment. The electronic system90 is like the electronic system 50 of FIG. 13 except that FIG. 17illustrates that the envelope generator 91 can receive an RF inputsignal In to the switch 51. The envelope generator 91 as arranged in theelectronic system 90 can generate the envelope signal based on the RFinput signal In. The envelope generator 91 can be implemented inaccordance with any suitable principles and advantages of the envelopegenerator 21.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 100 with aswitching circuit according to another embodiment. The electronic system100 is like the electronic system 90 of FIG. 17 except that FIG. 18illustrates that the envelope generator 101 can receive an RF inputsignal In to the switch 51 and the RF output signal Out provided by theswitch 51. The envelope generator 101 as arranged in the electronicsystem 100 can generate the envelope signal based on the RF input signalIn and the RF output signal Out. For instance, the envelope generator101 as arranged in FIG. 18 can generate the envelope signal based on avoltage difference between the RF output signal Out and the RF inputsignal In. This can linearize the switch 51 over a wider range ofimpedance of the load 52, for example, in accordance with the principlesand advantages discussed with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The envelopegenerator 101 can be implemented in accordance with any suitableprinciples and advantages of the envelope generator 31.

FIGS. 19, 20A, and 20B are schematic diagrams of electronic systems withswitching circuits that include envelope generators coupled to othercircuits according to certain embodiments. Any suitable principles andadvantages of the embodiments discussed with reference to FIGS. 19, 20A,and 20B can be implemented in connection with each other and/or inconnection with any other embodiments discussed herein. FIGS. 19, 20A,and 20B are example implementations in which an envelope generator cangenerate an envelope signal for injection to a switch and for othercircuitry. A shared envelope generator can advantageously save physicalarea and reduce costs relative to implementing more than one envelopegenerator.

As shown in FIG. 19, an electronic system 110 can include an envelopegenerator 114 coupled to the switch 51 and other circuitry 111. Theenvelope generator 114 can be implemented in accordance with anysuitable principles and advantages of the envelope generators discussedherein. The other circuitry 111 can include any circuitry that couldbenefit from using an envelope signal. For instance, the other circuitry111 can include a radio frequency component, such as another radiofrequency switch. The other circuitry 111 can include an envelopetracking modulator for generating a power amplifier supply voltage.

As shown in FIG. 20A, an electronic system 120 can include an envelopegenerator 128 that is coupled to the switch 51 and to a power amplifier125. An envelope tracking modulator 124 can receive an envelope signalfrom the envelope generator 128 and provide a supply voltage for thepower amplifier 125. The envelope signal injected to the switch 51 canhave a different phase and/or magnitude than the envelope signalprovided to the envelope tracking modulator 124. The envelope generator128 can include a shared envelope generating circuit 126 and an envelopeprocessing circuit 121. The shared envelope generating circuit 126 cangenerate an envelope signal. The illustrated envelope processing circuit121 can adjust the phase and the magnitude of the envelope signal. Inthe electronic system 120, the envelope processing circuit 121 canprovide an envelope signal to the switch 51 that has a different phaseand/or different magnitude than the envelope signal provided to theenvelope tracking modulator 124. With such processing of the envelopesignal, the shared envelope generating circuit 126 can be used forlinearizing the switch 51 and for generating a power amplifier supplyvoltage for the power amplifier 125.

The envelope processing circuit 121 can include a phase shifter 122 anda variable magnitude element 123 to adjust the phase and/or magnitude ofthe envelope signal provided to the switch 51. The phase and themagnitude of the envelope signal can be implemented in accordance withany of the principles and advantages discussed herein to increaselinearization of the switch 51. The phase shifter 122 can be anysuitable circuit arranged to adjust the phase of the envelope signalprovided by the envelope generator 128. The phase shifter 122 can beimplemented by an adjustable delay element. The variable magnitudeelement 123 can be any suitable circuit configured to adjust the gain ofthe envelope signal, such as a variable gain amplifier and/or a variableattenuation attenuator. The phase shifter 122 and the variable magnitudeelement 123 can be in series between the envelope generator 12 and theswitch 51. In some instances, the functions of the phase shifter 122 andthe variable magnitude element 123 can be combined into a singleelement. The envelope processing circuit 121 can implement any of thefeatures associated with phase and/or magnitude adjustment of anenvelope signal discussed herein. Any of the features of the envelopeprocessing circuit 121 can be implemented in any of the envelopegenerators discussed herein.

FIG. 20B is a schematic diagram of a communications system 130 thatincludes envelope generator coupled to a power amplifier and a switchaccording to an embodiment. The envelope generator can generate anenvelope signal ENVELOPE from which a power amplifier supply voltageV_(CC) _(_) _(PA) is generated and from which an envelope signal forimproving linearity of the switch 51 is also generated.

The illustrated communication system 130 includes a battery 131, anenvelope generator that includes a shared envelope generating circuit132 and an envelope processing circuit 121, an envelope trackingmodulator 124, a power amplifier 125, a baseband processor 133, a signaldelay circuit 134, a digital pre-distortion (DPD) circuit 135, an I/Qmodulator 136, a switch 51, and an antenna 137. The shared envelopegenerating circuit 132 shown in FIG. 20B includes an envelope delaycircuit 141, a coordinate rotation digital computation (CORDIC) circuit142, a shaping circuit 143, a digital-to-analog converter 144, and areconstruction filter 145. The communication system 130 of FIG. 20Billustrates an example of an RF system that can use an envelope signalto linearize a RF switch in accordance with one or more features of thepresent disclosure. However, the teachings herein are applicable to RFsystems implemented in a wide variety of ways.

The envelope generator of FIG. 20B is an example of an envelopegenerator that generates an envelope signal that corresponds to anenvelope of an RF signal from a baseband signal. The envelope generatorof FIG. 20B is an example of using a shared envelope generating circuit132 for generating envelope signals for different RF components.

The example shared envelope generating circuit 132 illustrated in FIG.20B will now be described. The envelope delay circuit 141 can delay Iand Q signals from the baseband processor 133. The CORDIC circuit 142can process the delayed I and Q signals to generate a digital envelopesignal representing an envelope of the RF signal RF_(IN). The shapingcircuit 143 can shape the digital envelope signal to enhance theperformance of the communication system 130. In certain implementations,the shaping circuit 143 includes a shaping table that maps each level ofthe digital envelope signal to a corresponding shaped envelope signallevel. Envelope shaping can aid in controlling linearity, distortion,and/or efficiency of the power amplifier 125. As illustrated, the shapedenvelope signal is a digital signal that is converted by the DAC 144 toan analog envelope signal. The analog envelope signal can be filtered bythe reconstruction filter 145 to generate an envelope signal suitablefor use by the envelope tracking modulator 124. The reconstructionfilter 125 can be a low pass filter as illustrated.

In the communications system 130, the envelope tracking modulator 124receives the envelope signal from the reconstruction filter 145 and abattery voltage V_(BATT) from the battery 131, and uses the envelopesignal to generate a power amplifier supply voltage V_(CC) _(_) _(PA)for the power amplifier 125 that changes in relation to the envelope ofthe RF signal RF_(IN). The power amplifier 125 receives the RF signalRF_(IN) from the I/Q modulator 136, and provides an amplified RF signalRF_(OUT) to the antenna 137 through the switch 51, in this example.Additional circuitry than illustrated in FIG. 20B can be included in asignal path between the power amplifier 125 and the antenna 137, such asone or more filters, one or more duplexers or other multiplexers, one ormore other radio frequency switches, one or more frequency multiplexingcircuits (e.g., one or more diplexers or one or more triplexers).

As shown in FIG. 20B, the envelope processing circuit 121 can adjust aphase and a magnitude of an output of the shared envelope generatingcircuit 132 so that the switch 51 can receive an envelope signal with aphase and magnitude to enhance linearization in accordance with anysuitable principles and advantages discussed herein. The envelopeprocessing circuit 121 can delay the output of the shared envelopegenerating circuit 132 as suitable for applying to the switch 51. Such adelay can account for the propagation delay of an RF signal provided tothe power amplifier 125 to propagate to the switch 51 and also forsetting the phase to improve linearity of the switch 51.

With continued reference to FIG. 20B, the baseband processor 133operates to generate an I signal and a Q signal, which correspond tosignal components of a sinusoidal wave or signal of a desired amplitude,frequency, and phase. For example, the I signal can be used to representan in-phase component of the sinusoidal wave and the Q signal can beused to represent a quadrature-phase component of the sinusoidal wave,which can be an equivalent representation of the sinusoidal wave. Incertain implementations, the I and Q signals are provided to the I/Qmodulator 136 in a digital format. The baseband processor 133 can be anysuitable processor configured to process a baseband signal. Forinstance, the baseband processor 133 can include a digital signalprocessor, a microprocessor, a programmable core, the like, or anysuitable combination thereof.

The signal delay circuit 134 provides adjustable delay to the I and Qsignals to aid in controlling relative alignment between the envelopesignal and the RF signal RF_(IN). The DPD circuit 135 operates toprovide digital shaping to the delayed I and Q signals from the signaldelay circuit 134 to generate digitally pre-distorted I and Q signals.The DPD circuit 135 serves to reduce a distortion of the power amplifier125 and/or to increase the efficiency of the power amplifier 125. Thesignal delay circuit 134 and the DPD circuit 135 can be arranged in anysuitable order between the baseband processor 133 and the I/Q modulator136.

The I/Q modulator 136 receives the digitally pre-distorted I and Qsignals, which are processed to generate an RF signal RF_(IN). Forexample, the I/Q modulator 136 can include DACs configured to convertthe digitally pre-distorted I and Q signals into an analog format,mixers for upconverting the analog I and Q signals to radio frequency,and a signal combiner for combining the upconverted I and Q signals intoan RF signal suitable for amplification by the power amplifier 125. Incertain implementations, the I/Q modulator 136 can include one or morefilters configured to filter frequency content of signals processedtherein.

FIGS. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26A, and 26B are schematic diagrams thatillustrate applications of the switches with envelope injectionaccording to certain embodiments. The switches discussed herein can beimplemented in a variety of applications, such as any of theapplications of FIG. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26A, or 26B, among others.

The switches discussed herein can be implemented in a multi-throwswitch. For instance, a switch arm, which can also be referred to as aseries switch, of one or more throws of a multi-throw switch can beimplemented by a switch with envelope injection in accordance with anyof the principles and advantages discussed herein. FIG. 21 is aschematic diagram of an electronic system 150 that includes an envelopegenerator 14 and a multi-throw switch 151. The envelope generator 14 canprovide an envelope signal to a switch arm of one or more throws of themulti-throw switch 151 to linearize the switch. The envelope generator14 can provide envelope signals having different phases and/ormagnitudes to different switch arms of a multi-throw switch, such as themulti-throw switch 151.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 152 that includesan envelope generator 14, a power amplifier 125, and a band selectswitch 153. The band select switch 153 can receive an output signal fromthe power amplifier 125 and provide an electrical path between an outputof the power amplifier 125 and processing circuitry of a selected signalpath. The envelope generator 14 can provide an envelope signal to aswitch arm of one or more throws of the band select switch 153 tolinearize the switch.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 154 that includesan envelope generator 14, a power amplifier 125, a low noise amplifier155, and a transmit/receive switch 156. The transmit/receive switch 156can electrically connect the power amplifier 125 to a node in a transmitmode and electrically connect the low noise amplifier 155 to the node ina receive mode. The envelope generator 14 can provide an envelope signalto a switch arm of one or more throws of the transmit/receive switch 155to linearize the switch.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 160 that includesan envelope generator 14, a power amplifier 125, a processing circuit161, and an antenna switch 162. The processing circuit 161 is coupled toan output of the power amplifier 125. The processing circuit 161 canprovide impedance matching, filtering, and/or other processing. Theantenna switch 162 can electrically connect a selected signal path, suchas the signal path that includes the power amplifier 125 and theprocessing circuit 161, to an antenna port. The envelope generator 14can provide an envelope signal to a switch arm of one or more throws ofthe antenna switch 162 to linearize the switch.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 170 that includesan envelope generator 114, a power amplifier 125, an RF switch 171(e.g., a band select switch or a transmit/receive switch), a processingcircuit 161, and an antenna switch 162. FIG. 25 illustrates that morethan one switch in a signal path can be linearized with envelopeinjection. FIG. 25 also illustrates that a common envelope generator 114can be shared by two or more switches in the signal path. The envelopegenerator 114 of FIG. 25 can provide envelope signals having differentphases and/or magnitudes to different respective switches.

FIG. 26A is a schematic diagram of an electronic system 180 thatincludes an envelope generator 14, a mixer 181, and a local oscillator182. The envelope generator 14 of FIG. 26A can provide an envelopesignal to one or more switches of the mixer 181 to linearize theswitches. FIG. 26B shows an illustrative mixer 181 with switches 183,184, 185, and 186. Any of these switches can be linearized with envelopeinjection in accordance with the principles and advantages discussedherein. For instance, an envelope signal can be injected at a gateand/or a body of any of the field effect transistors illustrated in FIG.26B.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate semiconductor die that include switches withenvelope injection according to certain embodiments. Some or all of thecircuit elements of the switching circuits discussed above can beimplemented on a single semiconductor die. The semiconductor die can bemanufactured using any suitable process technology. As one example, thedie can be a semiconductor-on-insulator die, such as asilicon-on-insulator die. According to some other embodiments, thesemiconductor die can be a CMOS die, a gallium arsenide die, a silicongermanium die, or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 27, the envelopegenerator 14 and the switch 51 can be implemented on a commonsemiconductor die 190. As illustrated in FIG. 28, the envelope generator14, the switch 51, and the power amplifier 125 can be implemented on acommon semiconductor die 200.

FIGS. 29, 30, and 31 illustrate packaged modules that include switcheswith envelope injection according to certain embodiments. Packagedmodules can include a packaging substrate, such as a relatively low costlaminate substrate. Packaged modules that process RF signals can bereferred to as RF modules. A packaged module can include a switchingcircuit in accordance with any suitable principles and advantagesdiscussed herein. A packaged module can include any suitable electronicsystem and/or semiconductor die discussed herein enclosed within apackage. Some such packaged modules can be multi-chip modules. Thepackaged modules include a package enclosing the illustrated circuitelements. FIG. 29 illustrates a packaged module 210 that includes thesemiconductor die 190 of FIG. 27 and another die and/or other circuitelements 211. FIG. 30 illustrates a packaged module 220 that includesthe envelope generator 14 and the switch 51. FIG. 31 illustrates apackaged module 230 that includes the envelope generator 14, the switch51, and the power amplifier 125.

FIG. 32 illustrates a wireless communication device 240 that includes aswitch with envelope injection in accordance with one or moreembodiments. The wireless communication device 240 can be any suitablewireless communication device. For instance, the wireless communicationdevice 240 can be a mobile phone, such as a smart phone. As illustrated,the wireless communication device 240 includes a first antenna 241, anRF front end system 242, a transceiver 243, a processor 244, and amemory 245. Any of the switches with envelope injection discussed hereincan be implemented in the RF front end system 242. A front end systemcan include circuits in signal path(s) between one or more antennas anda baseband system. Some front end systems include circuits in a signalpath between one or more antennas and a mixer configured to modulate asignal to RF or to demodulate an RF signal. Front end systems canprocess RF signals. Accordingly, front end systems can be referred to asRF front end systems. The RF front end system 242 can provide an RFsignal to the antenna 241 for transmission and/or process an RF signalreceived by way of the antenna 241. The memory 245 can store data on thewireless communication device 240. The processor 244 can store and/oraccess data in the memory 244. The processor 244 can process basebandsignals and can be in communication with the RF front end system 242.

Any of the principles and advantages discussed herein can be applied toother systems, not just to the systems described above. The elements andoperations of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments. Some of the embodiments described abovehave provided examples in connection with particular switches, poweramplifier, front end modules and/or wireless communications devices.However, the principles and advantages of the embodiments can be used inconnection with any other systems, apparatus, or methods that benefitcould from any of the teachings herein. For instance, any of theprinciples and advantages discussed herein can be implemented inconnection with any switch that could benefit from enhancedlinearization. Any of the principles and advantages discussed herein canbe implemented in an RF switch configured to receive an RF signal havinga frequency in in a range from about 30 kHz to 300 GHz, such as in arange from about 450 MHz to 6 GHz.

Aspects of this disclosure can be implemented in various electronicdevices. Examples of the electronic devices can include, but are notlimited to, consumer electronic products, parts of the consumerelectronic products such as semiconductor die and/or packaged radiofrequency modules, electronic test equipment, wireless communicationdevices, personal area network communication devices, cellularcommunications infrastructure such as a base station, etc. Examples ofthe consumer electronic products can include, but are not limited to, amobile phone such as a smart phone, a wearable computing device such asa smart watch or an ear piece, a telephone, a television, a computermonitor, a computer, a router, a modem, a hand-held computer, a laptopcomputer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), amicrowave, a refrigerator, a vehicular electronics system such as anautomotive electronics system, a stereo system, a DVD player, a CDplayer, a digital music player such as an MP3 player, a radio, acamcorder, a camera such as a digital camera, a portable memory chip, awasher, a dryer, a washer/dryer, a peripheral device, a clock, etc.Further, the electronic devices can include unfinished products.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the description andthe claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,”and the like are to generally be construed in an inclusive sense, asopposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in thesense of “including, but not limited to.” The word “coupled,” asgenerally used herein, refers to two or more elements that may be eitherdirectly coupled to each other or coupled by way of one or moreintermediate elements. Likewise, the word “connected,” as generally usedherein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directlyconnected or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Wherethe context permits, words in the above Detailed Description of CertainEmbodiments using the singular or plural may also include the plural orsingular, respectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two ormore items, is generally intended to encompass all of the followinginterpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of theitems in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

Moreover, conditional language used herein, such as, among others,“can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” “for example,” “such as” and thelike, unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding whether thesefeatures, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed inany particular embodiment.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novelmethods, apparatus, and systems described herein may be embodied in avariety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutionsand changes in the form of the methods, apparatus, and systems describedherein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.For example, circuit blocks described herein may be deleted, moved,added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each of these circuitblocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Theaccompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover any suchforms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A switching circuit with enhanced linearity, theswitching circuit comprising: a switch configured to receive an inputsignal, to provide an output signal, and to receive an envelope signalcorresponding to an envelope of the input signal, the input signalincluding a first tone at a first frequency and a second tone at asecond frequency, and the envelope signal having a frequencycorresponding to a difference between the first frequency and the secondfrequency; and an envelope generator configured to generate the envelopesignal so as to cause intermodulation distortion in the output signal tobe reduced, the envelope generator being configured to adjust a phase ofthe envelope signal.
 2. The switching circuit of claim 1 wherein theswitch includes a field effect transistor having a body configured toreceive the envelope signal.
 3. The switching circuit of claim 1 whereinthe switch is configured to receive the envelope signal at a controlterminal.
 4. The switching circuit of claim 3 wherein the envelopesignal is superimposed on a direct current control signal at the controlterminal, the switch configured to turn on and to turn off in responseto the direct current control signal.
 5. The switching circuit of claim1 wherein the envelope generator is configured to adjust the phase ofthe envelope signal such that intermodulation associated with mixing ofthe envelope signal and the input signal has substantially an oppositephase as intermodulation due to non-linear behavior of the switch. 6.The switching circuit of claim 1 wherein the envelope generator isconfigured to adjust a magnitude of the envelope signal.
 7. Theswitching circuit of claim 1 wherein the envelope generator is coupledto an envelope tracking modulator configured to provide a poweramplifier supply voltage to a power amplifier.
 8. The switching circuitof claim 1 wherein the input signal is a radio frequency signal and theswitch is a radio frequency switch.
 9. The switching circuit of claim 1wherein the envelope generator is configured to receive the input signaland to generate the envelope signal based on the input signal.
 10. Theswitching circuit of claim 1 wherein the envelope generator isconfigured to receive the input signal and the output signal and togenerate the envelope signal based on the input signal and the outputsignal.
 11. A radio frequency system comprising: a radio frequencysource configured to provide a radio frequency signal, the radiofrequency signal including a first tone at a first frequency and asecond tone at a second frequency; a switch configured to pass the radiofrequency signal; and an envelope generator configured to generate anenvelope signal corresponding to an envelope of the radio frequencysignal and to apply the envelope signal to the switch to causeintermodulation distortion to be reduced, the envelope signal having afrequency corresponding to a difference between the first frequency andthe second frequency, and the envelope generator being configured toadjust a phase of the envelope signal.
 12. The radio frequency system ofclaim 11 wherein the envelope generator is configured to adjust amagnitude of the envelope signal.
 13. The radio frequency system ofclaim 11 wherein the switch includes a field effect transistor having abody and the envelope generator is configured to apply the envelopesignal to the body.
 14. The radio frequency system of claim 11 whereinthe switch includes a field effect transistor having a gate configuredto receive the envelope signal superimposed on a control signal.
 15. Theradio frequency system of claim 11 wherein the radio frequency sourceincludes a power amplifier.
 16. The radio frequency system of claim 15wherein the switch is included in an antenna switch, a band selectswitch, or a transmit/receive switch.
 17. A method of switching a radiofrequency signal with improved linearity, the method comprising:generating an envelope signal with an envelope generator, the envelopegenerator configured to adjust a phase of the envelope signal; providingthe envelope signal to a radio frequency switch; and passing a radiofrequency signal using the radio frequency switch while the radiofrequency switch receives the envelope signal such that the envelopesignal reduces intermodulation distortion associated with the radiofrequency switch, the radio frequency signal including a first tone at afirst frequency and a second tone at a second frequency, and theenvelope signal having a frequency corresponding to a difference betweenthe first frequency and the second frequency.
 18. The method of claim 17further comprising setting the phase and a magnitude of the envelopesignal.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the radio frequency switchincludes a field effect transistor and the providing includes applyingthe envelope signal to a body of the field effect transistor.
 20. Themethod of claim 17 wherein the radio frequency switch includes a fieldeffect transistor and the providing includes applying the envelopesignal to a gate of the field effect transistor.